Born in Salford, Lancashire, England, Saunders began his career as an amateur with Hull City before moving to Liverpool when manager George Kay signed him in May 1948. His debut, which did not come for almost five years, was against Gateshead in the third round of the FA Cup on 10 January 1953. The match was one to forget, as Liverpool were humbled 1–0 in one of the biggest upsets in the team's history.[citation needed]
Saunders's only goal came on 25 August 1956 in a 2–0 league win at Gigg Lane. It was the second goal as the Reds wrapped up both the points against Bury by the 17th minute.
Saunders struggled to get into the starting lineup, appearing 15 times in 1953 and 20 times during the following campaign. It was not until Liverpool's relegation in 1954 that Saunders became a regular, when he was selected 32 times. That was the first year of a three-year run where he held on to the left-half spot in the first team. In 1956, Saunders was chosen 42 times, which ended up being his best season at Anfield. He followed this up with 28 appearances.
Saunders lost his place again in 1957 and did not get a run in the side until a cup match against Southend United in January 1958. He started the next four matches but again was replaced. The 1958–59 season was even worse for Saunders, who was eventually allowed to leave just before the end of the season in March 1959. After just four outings, he joined South Wales club Swansea Town where he played almost 100 times. Before retiring, Saunders played for Welsh amateur club Ammanford Town.
Saunders's connection with Liverpool did not end when he left for the Swans; his son, Dean, was also a professional footballer who played up front for the Reds during the 1990s. Dean Saunders also played for Swansea, now City, and became a Welsh international.
Career details
Liverpool F.C (1948–1959) - 146 appearances, 1 goal
England capped at youth level
External links
Player profile at LFChistory.net
Roy Saunders obituary, South Wales Evening Post, 30 January 2009.
January 19, 2023
saunders, welsh, author, author, september, 1930, january, 2009, professional, footballer, played, liverpool, swansea, town, father, footballer, dean, saunders, personal, informationdate, birth, 1930, september, 1930place, birthsalford, englanddate, death29, j. For the Welsh author see Roy Saunders author Roy Saunders 4 September 1930 29 January 2009 was a professional footballer who played for Liverpool and Swansea Town He was the father of footballer Dean Saunders Roy SaundersPersonal informationDate of birth 1930 09 04 4 September 1930Place of birthSalford EnglandDate of death29 January 2009 2009 01 29 aged 78 Place of deathSwansea WalesPosition s Wing halfYouth careerHull CitySenior career YearsTeamApps Gls 1948 1959Liverpool132 1 1959 1963Swansea Town94 3 International careerEngland Youth Club domestic league appearances and goalsLife and playing career EditBorn in Salford Lancashire England Saunders began his career as an amateur with Hull City before moving to Liverpool when manager George Kay signed him in May 1948 His debut which did not come for almost five years was against Gateshead in the third round of the FA Cup on 10 January 1953 The match was one to forget as Liverpool were humbled 1 0 in one of the biggest upsets in the team s history citation needed Saunders s only goal came on 25 August 1956 in a 2 0 league win at Gigg Lane It was the second goal as the Reds wrapped up both the points against Bury by the 17th minute Saunders struggled to get into the starting lineup appearing 15 times in 1953 and 20 times during the following campaign It was not until Liverpool s relegation in 1954 that Saunders became a regular when he was selected 32 times That was the first year of a three year run where he held on to the left half spot in the first team In 1956 Saunders was chosen 42 times which ended up being his best season at Anfield He followed this up with 28 appearances Saunders lost his place again in 1957 and did not get a run in the side until a cup match against Southend United in January 1958 He started the next four matches but again was replaced The 1958 59 season was even worse for Saunders who was eventually allowed to leave just before the end of the season in March 1959 After just four outings he joined South Wales club Swansea Town where he played almost 100 times Before retiring Saunders played for Welsh amateur club Ammanford Town Saunders s connection with Liverpool did not end when he left for the Swans his son Dean was also a professional footballer who played up front for the Reds during the 1990s Dean Saunders also played for Swansea now City and became a Welsh international Career details EditLiverpool F C 1948 1959 146 appearances 1 goal England capped at youth levelExternal links EditPlayer profile at LFChistory net Roy Saunders obituary South Wales Evening Post 30 January 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Roy Saunders amp oldid 992958419, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
